Sybaris - Indianapolis

Hotel at a Glance: Sybaris

Founded in 1974 by Chicagoan Ken Knudson as a retreat for married couples, the Sybaris hotel group has established romantic getaways for more than 50,000 couples per year at five locations across the midwest. Sybaris – Indianapolis opened its doors in 1998 with 22 individual cottages, each outfitted with cozy fireplaces and private pools heated to 92 degrees.

Paradise Pool Suites each have a private 15-foot swimming pool with a tropical waterfall, a whirlpool tub, a misting steam room, a fireplace, and a massage chair.

Chocolate-covered strawberries make a perfect snack for a romantic evening.

One-year Sybaris membership perks: You can make reservations at any Sybaris; you’ll also receive special discounts during your anniversary and birthday months.

Though it’s known worldwide for the Indy 500 that takes place each May, Indianapolis offers much more than motor sports. A gorgeous esplanade known as the Canal Walk snakes through downtown, which Forbes ranked one of “America’s Best Downtowns.” The path passes cultural institutions such as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, which offers free admission to its collection of Asian, European, American, African, and X-Files–inspired art. Nearby, the turn-of-the-century Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument marks the very center of the city with a nearly 285-foot-high limestone statue with an observation deck at the top. And farther north, the famed Children’s Museum of Indianapolis draws more than a million visitors per year.

The area’s agricultural legacy has also helped instill a farm-to-table ethic that has produced exceptional chef-driven restaurants. These establishments complement the bustling bar scene in Broad Ripple, a cultural district 6 miles north of downtown rife with art galleries, bakeries, and vintage stores. Be sure to stop at one of the city’s family diners as well to try a breaded-pork-tenderloin sandwich, a Hoosier specialty.

Because it’s the country’s 12th-largest city by population, Indianapolis has also attracted a fair share of sports. With a capacity of more than 250,000 spectators, the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway allows rocket-shaped Indy cars to hit speeds upwards of 230 mph. Keep an eye out for a yard of bricks near the start/finish line, a leftover from the track’s original surface in 1909. Basketball fans can watch the Indiana Pacers hit the court at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Nearby at Lucas Oil Stadium, you can watch quarterback Andrew Luck lead the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

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What You Get

$249 for a 1-night stay for two in a paradise swimming pool suite, valid for check-in Sunday–Thursday; not valid for Friday or Saturday stays (up to a $369 value)